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26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer Runner Comments
Back to 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.4 
Spectators 4.7
Number of comments: 118 [displaying comments 101 to 111]
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M. S. from New York State
(2/19/2008)
 "Nice Race" (about: 2007)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a typically well organized race. I entered the prior day. Had no problems with transportation to/from the start, etc. The course is fair, running most of it on the beach-side of the ICW. It's not the most picturesque, and essentially unshaded except for a few miles around the halfway point. There were about 7,000 total runners, but 5,000 of those were running the half, so after the 8-mile point, things thinned out very nicely, and I would find myself running alone. The only negative comment I would make is the start time. In my opinion there is no reason what-so-ever to delay a start in a hot-climate marathon in order to run 1.5 miles on the beach. This essentially results in majority of runners - the slowest finishers - running the latter stages of the race in the hottest part of the day. It was 80 degrees on race day, with no shade and no cloud cover. Nearly a record-high. Jeff Galloway knows better, and also knows that many folks will be coming from cool-climates to run in FL in the winter, and not adapted to any hot-weather running. Be smart next year Jeff and start at 7 a.m. | |
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Chuck in Cincinnati from Ohio
(2/19/2008)
 "For an inaugural, it's a WINNER !!!!" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Wonderful job!!! Nice expo, GREAT course, plenty of water, plenty of port-o-lets, and power gels at at least 5 places. Spectators not only cheered you on, but they knew what to do in the heat and sun. Thanks for the hoses and sprinklers; we runners appreciated it!!! This was number 13 for me, and I don't have enough of a marathon base, but this one ranks near the top. Freak weather... I've been running a bad luck streak of freaky hot temps on marathon day lately. But don't let it scare you; leading up to and the days following this race are perfect marathon days. I gave up my goal time before I started, SO, at mile 17ish, a buddy and I stopped in at Pete's bar for a rest and a brew. I managed a 4:37 and change (cramps); my buddy did a 4:02. The course runs over the Inner Coastal water way (the only hill, mile 1 & 26), past a fire boat shooting water, and beautiful neighborhoods; and the run on the beach was fun. The race cause, shirt and medal are top-notch. This race should be on your marathon-to-do list. Highly recommended!!!! | |
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Elizabeth (Betsy) Pierpaoli from United States
(2/18/2008)
 "Awesome Marathon" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 With this being the first year for this marathon, I cannot speak highly enough about how well run this was. I was so impressed. There were plenty of water stations and GU stations along the course. Runners never lacked for anything. Unfortunately the weather was extremely hot but nothing could be done about that. I wanted to use this course as a qualifying course for Boston but the weather kept me from doing that. After mile 19 and falling three minutes behind pace I decided to finish healthy instead of pushing for a time. I did not like the last four-mile stretch starting with running up the turnpike to the top of the bridge to mile 25. The turnpike along with the bridge was very uneven and made for difficult running at the end of a long marathon. Other than the last part of the marathon the course was relatively flat. I think maybe next year the marathon should use the wave start. It was very crowded at the start of the race. Great expo and great pasta dinner. My hats off to the 26.2 with Donna crew - you made this race very eventful. | |
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K. F. from Norcross, GA
(2/18/2008)
"Fantastic Inaugural Marathon" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my third marathon and by far the best. Having endured the Inaugural ING Georgia Marathon, this was definitely a pleasant surprise. Everything was well organized from the shuttle buses, to the bag check, to the water stops and the finish area. Though I am one of the "back of the pack" runners, I found plenty of fluids at every water station and plenty of energy gel throughout the course. Crowd support was amazing throughout the event. The only downside of the race is the three miles out at the start and three miles back to the finish along Butler Blvd. - a limited access divided highway with no shade that didn't afford much to see. But it is the fastest way to get from the Mayo Clinic to the beach. All in all, a great race that I highly recommend! | |
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N. H. from Clemson, SC
(2/18/2008)
"Great Experience" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and it proved to be a great one to run. The fans were awesome! Since my regular runs include hills, this proved to be a very flat run and was just perfect for my first experience. I would definitely do this run again. It is for a great cause and the excitement behind this first-time race was phenomenal. | |
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Keith Hagman from Greenville, NC
(2/18/2008)
"First-class for the first time in Jacksonville, FL" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I would rank this experience as number one in the enjoyment of the run and also the support provided by the volunteers, spectators, police, fire and EMS departments that I've participated in. The turnout to support this great cause was incredible. The route was lined with people and decorated in pink. The course itself was very enjoyable with water views, a beach run, and very friendly neighborhoods. It was a very warm day but the supply of drinks and water hoses along the route were limitless. The bus rides to the start were a little long but it was a minor hassle to deal with. It turned out to be a very warm February day with an 8:30 start to catch low tide on the beach run but you just have to adjust to those situations. Many thanks to Jeff Galloway, the City of Jacksonville, and everyone else involved in putting together a first-class event the first time out. This will be a on my calendar for 2009. | |
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Susan Spence from Winston-Salem, NC
(2/18/2008)
"Disappointed" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What I thought was a 7-hour time limit was not! Being bussed to the finish was so very disappointing. I was on track to finish in 6:45. Don't advertise what you can't deliver. | |
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Monica Kimbler from Summerville,SC
(2/18/2008)
"How bad could it get? We ran for a great cause!!" (about: 2008)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The course was great, the medal, great, the t-shirt, great, the spectators, great, the weath.... Sorry, I've got to stop there! We're talking Florida here and it tends to get pretty hot! Consensus amongst the runners was that an earlier start would've been better. Otherwise, I was soooo impressed with the locals and all of their support! In spite of the high temps, spectators offered so much to keep us cool; it was amazing that I only saw one runner down the whole day, unlike other hot marathons! I wore pink all the way down to my undies and really had a great time with it! I got a kick out of all the signs reading, "Save the Tatas." Also, I never saw so much Gu on a course; in fact, we were pretty well fed all day! It is such a wonderful story about Donna and all her efforts; I was very glad to be a part of it! This event makes for a great "Girls Day Out!!!!" | |
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D. B. from Atlanta, GA
(2/18/2008)
"Race so well planned it did not resemble an inaugu" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race was well planned from expo. to finish line. Plenty of volunteers with ample nourishments along the course. The medals are worth the run. It is a great to have been part of such a great cause. Just a couple of negatives: the race start of 8:30 a.m. is a bit late, especially w/the high temps. and the mileage we put on the sandy beach. Some of the beach areas were very soft and difficult to run. Overall, a great marathon. | |
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P. A. from Jacksonville, Florida
(2/18/2008)
 "Great Organization - Horrible Course" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Kudos to all involved for such a well-organized, energetic inaugural marathon for a wonderful cause. It is about time Jacksonville had a "big time" marathon. Now for the bad part. The course is absolutely horrible. Running nearly 8 miles on Butler Boulevard with no shade, on the beach, and through neighborhoods was terrible. Also, 8:30 a.m. is WAY too late for a start for a Florida marathon. It is a wonder thousands weren't sent to the hospital. For 2009 and beyond, this race should start and finish downtown and wind through the beautiful shaded streets of historic Springfield, Riverside, Avondale, Ortega and San Marco. It also should start at 6 a.m. - 7 a.m. at the latest. I understand Donna is a "beach person" but she should think of the health and safety of the runners as well as those that would like to run a PR on a fast course. With the right course and earlier starting time, this could be a BIG TIME race. |
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